A Ministry of Cats

From just before 2001 and up until 2007 I was doing volunteer work for a rescue group in Manhattan.  By the time I became aware of their agenda; policies; tactics and bad behavior I had 25 of their cats in my apartment - that was ten less than the month before.  While taking this group to court I learned a lot about self-representation; group mentality; personalities and agendas.   The following link takes you to an Internet Warning that the Judge said I could post:  http://kittykindajourneyofathousandlies.yolasite.com/.    I am a firm believer that:  “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”

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September 11 was my first Life Crisis and this volunteer experience was the crack in my Cosmic Egg.  The Crack in the Cosmic Egg by Carlos Castaneda was a book on perception that I read while in High School.  Little did I know that those metaphysical teachings would come back into my life when I was ready to understand them would add value to my life.

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I began to focus on getting the 25 cats adopted always reminding myself to “Do No Harm” while attaining my goals.  When you're trying desperately to get your cats adopted and set up an Adoption Site a funny thing happens:  People bring you cats and kittens that they can’t get homes for and you become their adoption agency!  In fact quite a few demand that you take their unwanted cats.  It doesn’t matter that you’re in the same boat:  The only difference between us is that I have decided to take the bull by the horns and get out of my comfort zone.  I saw that I needed to take action; figured out what I needed to do and put my plan into motion.   An idea without action is a daydream and I had no time for daydreams:  I needed to find good homes for these cats!

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Following is an outline of my process from 2009 – 2011

 

• I networked with Bekah and a group that she represented (“For Animals”) and began assisting with trapping; adoption events and spay clinics.  Bekah and For Animals were a big help and showed me the ethical side of Rescue and Adoptions.  I acquired Maggie Mae during this time.  I didn't know that Maggie Mae had a heart condition until 2016 when she suddenly became very sick and died.  These are the times that I am so grateful for my instincts.  Maggie would have died in the street at less than 6 years of age; instead, she had a loving home and gave and received love right up to the end of her short life.

• Marlboro projects:  There's too much ugliness in those buildings and their basements.  I will blog about this in more detail as it is an ongoing atrocity in NYCHA housing

• Neighborhood:  Maine Coon Kittens; all adopted.  Adoption event Speaker made remark about true Maine Coon’s vs street rescue mixed and her surprise over these kitten’s true Maine Coon behavior was a Laughing Out Loud moment!

• Random Individual Rescues:

  • Jean Morano:  resulted in these permanent intakes Sparkle; Soniqu

  • 2012 non-profit status granted

  • Adoptions at Petco:  The Flood Gates opened with cats abandoned at Petco.  resulted in these permanent intakes:  Missy; Lilly

  • Brighton Beach Hoarder:  44 cats, half of them Hard Core Feral; Hoarder reversal of position once pressure was off; classic hoarder behavior (take notes).  resulted in these permanent intakes Francesca; Greta;

  • Coney Island Cats:  An incredible and successful plan.  resulted in these permanent intakes Volpino; Sheldon;  Teddy;

  • 501c3 revoked.  You must know the rules of filing!  They say that new 501c3s don't last longer than 3 years - I'll tell you the reason why and how to avoid it.

  • Jean Morano:  Emergency relocation.  Incredible how this got done:  resulted in these permanent intakes Alley; Oscar; Willa

  • A Family Crisis that changed my life should have been the end of it all – but while going through this traumatic period I was still receiving calls for trapping.  The Surf Avenue lot that yielded Miss Vicki; Marc Anthony; Celia Cruz; Tito Puente and Hector Lavoe also presented me with treasured supporters:  Karen; Brett; Sebastian and Sharon (from Petco but now really dedicated to helping me).  There is always at least one Major Blessing along the way and my personal evolution went right along with this pace.

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My next Life Crisis happened when I suddenly got the role of Caretaker to my mother.

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            Jan-Apr 2015:  split shifts with my brother at Coop City Boulevard.  Round trip 3 hours

            April 2015:  Emergency room

            June – Oct 2015:  Nursing Home Bronx

            Oct 2015- Aug 2016:  Nursing Home Long Island

            Aug 2016 – Present:  Nursing Home MJHS

 

Yet another Life Crisis and stage of self-development was going to happen but all of the previous challenges had already started to make me stronger; wiser and I was starting to trust myself to make hard decisions.  This is a major gift that I wish everyone could give themselves.  Bottle Feeding orphaned newborn kittens prepared me for this non-stop stress. 

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Since 2016 I’ve been performing Random Individual Rescues.  I began the FaceBook Page “A Ministry of Cats” and Feeney was the Rising of the Phoenix.  It’s amazing how much more remains at the bottom of what you thought was an empty bag.  The family emergencies have no meaning to the people who know that you are a trapper and rescuer.   They are desperate to get help and your reputation precedes you.  Resulted in these permanent intakes Luna; Tiger; Maya; Menorah

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Today, I lend out my two traps and 3 cages.  These Social Media sites are shared information and I hope they educate, motivate and inspire the reader.  The future is wide open and there’s an abundance of possibilities for developing more tangible support for the Individual Rescuer.  Opportunities are out there and I want to find and share them.  You become what you think about all day and I think only of the Coney Island Boardwalk Cats and the Individual Rescuers who need resources so that they can participate in helping them. 

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The Seasonal Cycle

Spring:  Kitten Season

Summer:  Heat/dehydration

Fall:  A season for planning

Winter:  Frost bite/frozen water/shelters

 

My Internet Life Links:

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josephine marrero Archives - BKLYNER - Sheepshead Bites

www.bensonhurstbean.com/tag/josephine-marrero/

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Brooklyn Rescue Umbrella « CBS New York

newyork.cbslocal.com/tag/brooklyn-rescue-umbrella/

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The Coney Island Cat Crisis: Josie And The Neighborhood Cats ...

www.bensonhurstbean.com/.../the-coney-island-cat-crisis-josie-and-the-neighborhood...

Jan 16, 2014 - As the founder of Brooklyn Rescue Umbrella, she has made it her life ... In the past two and a half years, Brooklyn Rescue Umbrella has ...

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Josie Marrero Stories by Top Bloggers on Notey

www.notey.com/blogs/josie-marrero

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Brooklyn Rescue's Last Act of Kindness - Brooklynian

https://brooklynian.com › Park Slope

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Josie Marrero - Shared privately

Jan 13, 2017 - Colony Caretakers struggling to manage their Feral Cat Colonies don't need to find extra cats on their sites. This is a reason for NOT DISCLOSING the location of ...

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Coney Island Cats (@ConeyIslandCats) | Twitter

https://twitter.com/coneyislandcats?lang=en

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